April’s Lindfield Repair Cafe was busier than ever with over 116 visitors and 93 repairs carried out. One gentleman gardener had his ripped jeans turned ‘Designer’ thanks to the creative talents of Jenny and her sewing machine!
Many garden tools were brought in to be sharpened ready for the new season. Skilled leather worker Geoff stitched and mended bag handles and wallets and several household electrical appliances were made to work again. A small Gruffalo even had his eyesight restored.
The seed and pot swap hosted by Greener Lindfield was very popular and many unused items were rehomed, as well as seedlings ready to nurture. Young visitors were able to plant their own sunflower seeds to take home.
Lindfield Repair Cafe is next open for your repairs at 10am on Saturday 4th May. Lindfield’s Climate and Environmental action group, Fairer World Lindfield will have a presence once again. There will be lots to participate in with a quiz to help us understand what’s going on with climate change. The event will also provide an opportunity to think about one Green Pledge we could make in our daily lives that could bring about a small change to reduce our carbon footprint.
In the Kid’s Room there will be free Fairtrade chocolate tasting along with a short video about a cocoa farmer in Ghana, how cocoa beans grow and how we can contribute to a fairer world by buying ethical chocolate.
In June the Kid’s Room will have a chance to test their construction skills with a timed Lego challenge and can also get involved in making a sign for the Kid’s Room.
Lindfield Repair Cafe also offers woodwork repairs for items such as small furniture, antiques and wooden boxes. In fact, anything wooden that you can carry in.
More Volunteers Urgently Needed
The Repair Cafe is looking for more volunteers who enjoy working with children and could help with activities in the Kids’ Room (alongside parental/carer supervision). Founder Trevor Carpenter says ‘One of our most important aims is to help kids understand the concept of repairing and to become our next generation of repairers’.
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Lindfield Repair Cafe is also proud to offer computer advice:
They don’t carry spares, so physical repairs aren’t usually practical, and the aim is not to compete with local professional services, but they can help with many technical issues that may be making you think about replacing your device prematurely. Don’t forget the power supply!
Forthcoming events:
Saturday 4th May
Saturday 8th June (a week later to avoid clashing with Lindfield Village Day)
Saturday 6th July
There is no repair cafe in August while the volunteers take a well-earned break.
Lindfield Repair Cafe is open on the first Saturday of the month at the
United Reformed Church, 52 High Street, Lindfield, from 10am to 1pm.
(On bank holiday weekends the date will be moved to the second Saturday of the month).
Please check our website/social media pages for the latest updates (details below).
Please note that the Repair Cafe cannot guarantee that they will be able to repair all items brought in, but they will always have a go if possible! Spare parts for repairs are not supplied so if you need a new zip or bulb fitted it may be worth purchasing one before you come along!
There is a collection point for Haywards Heath Food Bank at the venue so visitors may drop off donations when they visit.
Website: https://www.lindfieldrepaircafe.org/
@lindfieldrepaircafe @lindfieldrepaircafe
by Nicola Coughlin
